G. W. SHARP
Mr. G. W. Sharp was born in Winston County, Miss., December 21, 1855, where
he lived until 1903, and he came to Bradley county, Ark., where he lived until
August 6, 1912 when the Almighty called him home. Brother Sharp was a faithful
servant and was ready to receive the summons, "Well done thy good and faithful
servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things. I will make thee ruler over many
things. Enter thou into the joys of our Lord." Brother Sharp was a consistent
member of the Methodist church for thirty years and died a steward. He leaves
a wife and nine children, three brothers, one sister and a host of friends to mourn
his death. Weep not, loved ones; he is not dead but sleepeth.
November 7, 1912 page 14 col 3 - The Arkansas Methodist Newspaper (Union Hill Cem. Bradley Co.)
FEREBY FOWLER
Sister Fereby Fowler was born in Robertson county, Tennessee, December 1st, 1820, was
married to the late Rev. J.F. Fowler, February 7th, 1838; professed religion and joined
the Methodist Church in 1836 or 7, and died at her home in New Edinburg, Ark., April 18th,
1900. She, with her husband moved to Arkansas in the fall of 1853 and settled in Brushy
Woods neighborhood; later on to New Edinburg, where they continued to reside till some
eight years ago, when her husband, who had faithfully and efficiently served the church
as a local preacher, was called to his reward. Sister Fowler confined to her bed some
eight or ten weeks during which time suffered much, but endured it all without a murmur.
She was a woman of noble principle, broad views and a pure Christian character. She loved
the church and her God. A kind and obliging neighbor, having all the traits that belonged
to a true Christian character. For several years, on account of physical disability, she
was deprived of the privilege of attending the services of the sanctuary, which she so
much delighted to do in former years. O, how thankful her children and neighbors should
feel for her godly counsel, and consecrated Christian life, and how earnestly they should
try to follow her good example. The writer visited her quite often during her sickness,
always found her with a steady and an abiding faith in Christ. I was also present when
her pure spirit took its flight to him who gave it. When the end came she closed her mouth
and eyes as if going to sleep; at the same time a pleasant smile played over her face,
which was affectionate mother and Christian woman. Her funeral was attended by a large
concourse of people. May the Lord bless and save each of her ten surviving children.
June 13, 1900 page 15 col 3 & 4 - The Arkansas Methodist Newspaper
GILMORE SHIREY
Died at his residence in Warren, January 22, 1898, Gilmore Shirey, aged 72 years.
Bro. Shirey had been a member of our church for about forty years, and had lived
a consistent Christian. He was a native of Georgia and came to Arkansas in 1858.
He has been living in Warren for thirteen years, and has raised a large family, some
of whom had preceded him to the better land. He told the writer only a few days
before his departure that he was ready and only waiting, and desired to go. His
end was great peace. May the family and all the relatives so live that their departure
may be as peaceful as was his.
February 2, 1898 page 13 col 1 - The Arkansas Methodist Newspaper
CORNELIA V. SHUMAKER
Cornelia Vanderbilt Shumaker was born in Winston county, Mississippi,
January 9, 1882. With her mother she came to Arkansas in 1895, being
then only thirteen years old. She was married to Tignor Marvin Thompson
at Warren, Ark., October 25, 1909. After an illness lasting for several weeks,
during which time she suffered much, enduring it patiently, she passed to
her reward from a sanitarium in Texarkana, December 26, 1915. She had
lived a consistent member of the M. E. Church, South, since she was
eleven years old. The last two years of her life, her home and church
membership were in Stephens. Her Christian life was one of rare gentleness,
sweetness and consistency. She leaves a husband and one child, little
Marvin, to mourn her loss, together with a host of relatives and friends.
The body was laid to rest at El Dorado, Ark., Rev. W. C. Hilliard
conducting the funeral.
March 16, 1916 - The Arkansas Methodist Newspaper
WILLIAM W. SIMPSON
William Washington Simpson answered the call of his divine Father on
October 21, 1921, and his spirit passed into the great beyond. While he
had been in poor health for some time, had been confined to his bed
three months and eight days, everything was done for him that loving
hands could do. He was born June 8, 1855, in Bradley County, and
moved to Arkansas County at an early day. He leaves a wife, three
children, four brothers, one sister, several grandchildren, four
great-grandchildren and a host of relatives and friends to mourn
his death. He was a member of the Methodist Church. He had lived
a Christian life for many years, and was a great worker for both
Sunday school and church.
December 1, 1921 page 8 col 4 - The Arkansas Methodist Newspaper
J. A. SMITH
Brother J. A. Smith was born in Bradley county, Arkansas in February,
1853; died January 14, 1916. In early life he belonged to the M. E. Church,
South, but for some reason he had not attended church for several years
and had been lost sight of. During the revival held by Brother R. Spann
and Brother Grover Cleveland last summer at Vick, Brother Smith and
his aged wife both attended and came back to the church and were
received by vows. He only lived a short time but very often repeated
he was glad that he had gotten back in the church again. He left the
testimony that he was ready to meet his God. He leaves a wife and
one daughter to mourn his loss. We held his funeral service at the
home of the deceased, after which the body was carried to old
Palestine cemetery and placed in the vault. May God bless the
aged wife and the daughter.
February 24, 1916 page 14 col 2 & 3 - The Arkansas Methodist Newspaper (Palestine Cem. Bradley Co.)
ETTA LEE GLOVER
On March 19, 1919, Miss Etta Lee Glover passed to the land of sunshine. She was born in
Lincoln County on April 7, 1892. Her life though shortened by the will of God, was filled
with a rare sweet spirit that made all those who knew her love her. And when the message
came to her home in Warren, announcing her death at St. Luke's hospital, many were the
friends who mourned. She had a very sympathetic nature. No one sympathized with the sick
and afflicted more than she, yet during the months of her waning health no one ever heard
her complain, and when she was told that her hours on earth were probably few, she said,
"Everything is all right." She joined the Methodist Church at 18 years of age and lived
a consistent member of the church the remainder of her life. During her girlhood she
attended Sunday school and was ever a close student of the Bible. Etta taught in the
rural schools of Bradley County for several years. There are boys and girls all over the
country who mourn because in her own cheerful way she taught them lessons of honor they
will never forget. A brother, a sister, and her father were waiting on the other side to
welcome her home. Her mother, three brothers (one of whom is still in France), and three
sisters are left behind to mourn her death.
July 10, 1919 page 15 col 1 - The Arkansas Methodist Newspaper (Oakland Cem. Warren, Ark.)
W. LEWIS BELIN
W. Lewis Belin was born February 16, 1859 and died at Hermitage, Ark., Aug. 1, 1926. He was born
in Bradley county where he made his home at Jersey. There he was a successful farmer and good
citizen. The writer was his pastor there three years and a strong friendship ripened between us.
He was a man of high ideals and his convictions could be located on the side of God and the
right. Brother Belin was a candidate for Treasurer of his county at the time of his death and
had he lived if elected he would have made his constituency and efficient public servant.
During his residence at Jersey he contributed to making his church the center of a very fine
religious community and also to make Jersey an educational center. He stood for high upright
living and for the things that make for the progress of the Kingdom of God. His home was a
place of prayer. He took his church paper. He was young when he professed his Savior and
joined the Methodist Church. The end was sudden. He dropped dead and his spirit glided beyond
the curtains into eternity. His widow, one son, five daughters, one brother and other relatives
survive him.
December 16, 1926 page 12 col 4 - The Arkansas Methodist Newspaper (Shady Grove Cem. Jersey, AR)
ANNIE BELL JONES
Annie Bell Jones, died in Warren, Ark., Jan 15, 1888. She was born May 24th,
1875, and was converted and joined the M.E. Church, South, in October, 1886.
She was a very consistent Christian, and was very devoted to her Sunday
School and Church; always ready to go to the Sunday School. She delighted
in having good lessons and received a prize from her teacher for good
lessons at the close of last year. She was sick twelve days and suffered
greatly, yet she seemed to be happy. She said just before she died, she
was so happy. She told her father the angels had come for her and she
would have to go with them. She has gone with the angels. May God bless
the father and mother, brother and sisters, and help them to live so as
to meet Annie in Heaven.
January 28, 1888 page 7 col 2 - The Arkansas Methodist Newspaper
GARLAND RICHARD BLANKENSHIP
Garland Richard, infant of Brother and Sister G. R. Blankenship, was born October 24, 1913, and
died October 21, 1914, of cholera infantum. He was sick nearly four months and everything that
a loving mother and medical skill could do was done to alleviate his suffering. But the Lord,
who does all things well, knew best, for he had need of him in the mansions of the blessed. So
he sent his angel to kiss his little spirit home. And he gaily swept through the pearly gates
of the city of God and doubtless is awaiting the arrival of papa and mamma, which names he had
never learned to lisp. Then father and mother live for God and you will live with him again.
December 31, 1914 page 7 col 1 & 2 - The Arkansas Methodist Newspaper (Union Cem. Cleveland co.)
